January 13, 2008, Alpental slackcountry

Here's a photo of Alaska with what I'm guessing was a 2-3' crown spanning the width of a football field.  That's a southerly aspect.  Saw huge avalanches on all aspects. 

Closeup of the crown

Lower gates were open on Sunday. Upper was closed but people were traversing out anyway.

You must of went to a different Alpental. BC was closed Sunday. The slide in the pictures hapened Sunday.

Well.....if you didn't duck any ropes and only went through Snake Dance gate you were still inbounds

My bad, I guess the "BC" was technically closed. I went through snake dance, traversed out, ducked a rope and continued on. I just assumed that if snake dance is open, everything one can access from that gate is open, as there are plenty lines one could get into trouble within spitting distance of the snake dance gate. Ropes really have no meaning to me at Alpental (this is the mountain that closed International on one of the busiest days of the year because the entrance was too difficult for beginners). My biggest concern is that by ducking ropes, younger folks without the proper equipment will follow my trail so I try to do it discreetly. I still think the lower bc was relatively safe that day. There was a tremendous difference from the snow on the upper mountain (which was light enough to be wind transported) and the glue we were skiing down low. I was more worried about breaking a leg or blowing out a knee in the muck.

Ropes really have no meaning to me at Alpental

That's kinda bad isn't it?

Wow. Either he is serious or just wants to fan some flames. I am not a backcountry buff. I don't know the upper taverse to the BC nor would I go there without training, partner, equipment, etc.

I do know the lower gate at Snake.

There is a rope set up there for a reason.

People like this are the ones you read about when they are found dead in an avalanche under ridiculous conditions or cause a backcountry rescue at the cost of the tax payers.

Some people will never learn.